Fantasy

Fourth Wing is about twenty-year-old Violent Sorrengail and her time as a first year at Basgiath War College, where she trains to be a dragon rider. I
chose to read the book due to its popularity, and how it appealed with my interests in dragons and fantasy, as well as its relatable romance.
enjoyed the loveable characters and the interesting plot that kept me hooked in and invested. I didn't like some of the side-characters who seemed flat, I feel some of these characters could have been flushed out and developed more.
This is an enjoyable fantasy romance for young adult readers who prefer a more drawn out story and romance.

I picked up this book because it was on a list of Pulitzer Prize winners and I figured that was a good enough metric to give it a shot. I was not disappointed. Told from a few different perspectives, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is a fantastic look into the lives of Dominican Americans. I could tell the author was writing from deeply personal experiences, and the result was riveting.

There's a lot I don't know about the Dominican culture, but I felt this book was an eye-opening look into their history. Told as personal anecdotes from the characters, it was wild to see the effects of living under a dictator. However, even once someone escaped from that oppression, life in America wasn't an easy walk in the park either. The effects of racism might not be as bad as having your daughters sold to a dictator, but they still aren't pretty. Using these point-of-view stories to convey all this made the experience of reading this book feel more authentic.

This audiobook also included a short story by the same author, "Drown." While this story wasn't quite up to the quality of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, a lot of the author's style was still present. Of course, this style felt a little rougher than his Pulitzer Prize-winning work, but it was interesting to see how it evolved between the two. Ultimately, the Pulitzer Prize can be a somewhat subjective metric for whether a book is good or not. Here, it's spot-on and I think people should read it because of its award-winning status.

An excellent and authentic examination of the life of a Dominican American, I give The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao 4.0 stars out of 5.

Eldest is a five-star book because of the amazing amount of fun I had reading it trying to figure out where they are based on the map in the front. Also, the ending was super satisfying because if you’ve read the first one you know Eragon had no father at the end you learn who it is.
I chose this book because I like to finish a series to the end and this is the second one and it was as good or better than the first.
Also, Paolini is an amazing author, and he is especially good at painting a picture in your mind with nothing but words especially when he comes to describing the elves and their main city Elesmera. All in all this book is great so don’t let its length stop you from enjoying the amazing books of Paolini.

A piece of advice given to most writers is to make their characters suffer, then document how they grow. In Summer Knight, Jim Butcher puts Harry Dresden through the ringer. Not only is Dresden on the edge of being homeless and dead from starvation, but he finds himself tangled up in the politics of the wizards and faeries. As usual, the world-building in the Dresden Files is fantastic and multi-layered. Sure, there are still the problems that keep popping up in this series, but they seemed less when Dresden was focused on merely staying alive.

With each book in the Dresden Files, I find the deepening lore fascinating. In Summer Knight, we finally learn about the council of wizards and see how unique Harry is when compared to others from the organization. In learning about more of his past, it’s easy to see how Dresden has come to this impasse with the council. Furthermore, Grave Peril had mere hints of the faerie world and workings that Summer Knight fully expanded upon. While a lot of the world-building looks like mere politics, that it’s as well thought out as this shows to Butcher’s talent here.

While there are still bad examples of “men writing women” in this book (which is the case throughout the series), at least it seemed a bit toned down from the previous books. Dresden’s backstory made him a bit more likable in this book, as there were at least explanations why he is the way he is. I enjoy his somewhat unorthodox way of handling magic battles and can’t wait until he’s truly trained to be a more precise magic user to really see his talent emerge.

Some great world-building and main character exposition for the Dresden Files, I give Summer Knight 4.5 stars out of 5.

Eragon is a 5-star book because though it is long and hard to understand to the right reader it is wonderful. If you think you have a big vocabulary read this book as a test and get absorbed into the inheritance trilogy. I chose this book because it was long, and I like long books but though it is long don’t let that stop you from exploring with Eragon the newest dragon rider all throughout Alegaesia 15 leagues (51 miles) from Carvahall his hometown deep in the dwarf city of Farthen Dur. This book had plot twists all around the corner, it was not at all super predictable and all throughout Eragon's final battle you will be sitting on the edge of your seat. If you want something to do over the summer that isn’t just sitting down, playing video games try reading this book, it is a great summer read.

"Fracture Me" is a novella that delves into the depths of despair and resilience with intense emotional impact, earning its place as a pivotal addition to the Shatter Me series. Tahereh Mafi crafts a raw through the eyes of Adam Kent, offering readers a glimpse into his inner turmoil and shattered heart. As Adam grapples with loss and betrayal, his journey becomes a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Mafi's prose is hauntingly beautiful, capturing the essence of pain and longing with exquisite precision. The exploration of Adam's relationships, particularly his complex dynamic with Juliette, adds layers of complexity to the story, enriching the reader's understanding of the characters' motivations and struggles. "Fracture Me" is a masterful portrayal of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit that leaves an indelible mark on the soul.

"Unravel Me" is an electrifying sequel that not only lives up to its predecessor but surpasses it in every aspect. Tahereh Mafi's writing is as intoxicating as ever, pulling readers into a world of chaos, romance, and inner turmoil. Juliette's journey of self-discovery continues to unfold with breathtaking intensity, as she grapples with her newfound powers and the weight of her past. The dynamic between Juliette and Warner sizzles with undeniable chemistry, adding layers of complexity to an already gripping narrative. Mafi masterfully explores themes of identity, love, and sacrifice, making every page a visceral experience that resonates long after the book is finished. The plot twists and turns with relentless momentum, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. "Unravel Me" is a triumph of young adult literature, a rollercoaster ride of emotions that leaves you eagerly anticipating the next installment!

"Where the Forest Meets the Stars" by Glendy Vanderah is a mesmerizing blend of heart-wrenching reality and whimsical fantasy that left me utterly captivated. Set against the backdrop of a serene forest, the story weaves a tale of grief, healing, and unexpected connections that transcend the ordinary. The characters, Joanna, Ursa, and Gabriel, form an unlikely trio whose interactions are enchanting. As they unravel the mysteries of the stars and confront their own inner demons, the line between reality and fantasy blurs beautifully, inviting readers into a world where anything seems possible. The author's prose is both lyrical and evocative, painting vivid scenes that linger in the mind long after the final page. With its rich narrative and emotionally resonant themes, "Where the Forest Meets the Stars" is a masterpiece that reminds us of the magic inherent in everyday life. It's a book that stays with you, stirring your soul and igniting your imagination with every turn of the page.

I like this book a lot because of how cute and funny it is. The way this book is written makes it very exciting to read. Link is shown how he can positively interact with any type of living creature. His cute companion Peeko that's been with him since a chick is adorable and such a fun character to have in the book. The way the art is drawn makes the whole thing cuter and more adorable than to how it could have been if it wasn’t drawn in this style.

The second part of the Ocarina of Time is a well drawn and written book. It was interesting seeing all the changes that happened in seven years after Ganon won and got the triforce. There are funny moments in it when Link with a child's mentality and an adult's body confuses people with how he does things. It’s cute when Link meets people and animals he made friends with seven years ago where he remembers it so well. The bonus story with the entirely new character Rouro was an interesting way to see Link help animals/people when it doesn’t involve fighting a monster.